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St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare receive Grant Funds for Affiliation Expenses

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St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) have each received grant funding of $50,000 from The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. to assist with the legal and consultant services for their joint affiliation project.

“Both organizations are grateful for The Community Foundation’s support of our affiliation plans,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of FSLH.  “Our strategic plans focus on meeting the needs of our community now and into the future.  The grant is a tremendous benefit to both organizations and helps us to defray some of the significant costs that come with this type of collaboration.”

The Honorable Norman I. Siegel, Chair of SEMC’s Board of Trustees, agreed.  “In these challenging economic times for healthcare, we have an obligation to area residents to ensure the long-term fiscal health of both St. Elizabeth and Faxton St. Luke’s while continuing to meet our collective mission,” he said.  “We appreciate this generous assistance with our plan.”


MVHS Hospitals Win Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UTICA, NY – The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) hospitals, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center, were named joint winners of a 2014/2015 Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation. The announcement appeared in the October 13 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine. The annual award identifies hospitals across the United States that healthcare consumers choose as having the highest quality and image.   
   Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s Market Insights survey. National Research surveys more than 290,000 households in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. Hospitals named by consumers are analyzed and ranked based on Core Based Statistical Areas defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, with winning facilities being ranked the highest. 
   “We are very proud of our dedicated staff and the care they provide to patients daily,” said Scott H. Perra, President/CEO of MVHS. “We are grateful for the recognition from our community.”   
About National Research Corporation  
   Recognized by Modern Healthcare as the largest patient satisfaction firm in the U.S., National Research is dedicated to representing the true voice of patients and other healthcare stakeholders. This integration of cross-continuum metrics and analytics uncovers insights for effective performance improvement, quality measurement, care transitions, and many other factors that impact population health management. 
National Research is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more information, call 800-388-4264, write to info@nationalresearch.com, or visit www.nationalresearch.com. 

UTICA, NY – The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) hospitals, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center, were named joint winners of a 2014/2015 Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation. The announcement appeared in the October 13 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine. The annual award identifies hospitals across the United States that healthcare consumers choose as having the highest quality and image.  

Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s Market Insights survey. National Research surveys more than 290,000 households in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. Hospitals named by consumers are analyzed and ranked based on Core Based Statistical Areas defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, with winning facilities being ranked the highest. 

“We are very proud of our dedicated staff and the care they provide to patients daily,” said Scott H. Perra, President/CEO of MVHS. “We are grateful for the recognition from our community.”   

About National Research Corporation  

Recognized by Modern Healthcare as the largest patient satisfaction firm in the U.S., National Research is dedicated to representing the true voice of patients and other healthcare stakeholders. This integration of cross-continuum metrics and analytics uncovers insights for effective performance improvement, quality measurement, care transitions, and many other factors that impact population health management. 

National Research is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more information, call 800-388-4264, write to info@nationalresearch.com, or visit www.nationalresearch.com. 


Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

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Sandra Fentiman 
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
(315) 798-8195
sfentiman@stemc.org

Debra Altdoerffer
VP, Communications and Development
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5716
daltdoer@mvnhealth.com

Scott Smith
Director of Marketing
National Research Corporation
(800) 388-4264
scsmith@nationalresearch.com

SEMC First in Region to Perform Robotic Partial Knee Resurfacing

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Andrew Wickline, MD, FAAOS, stands by robotic technology that allows partial knee resurfacing at St. Elizabeth Medical Center.


John Sullivan, MD, stands by the robotic technology at SEMC.

Minimally invasive procedure for early to mid-stage osteoarthritis may provide quicker recovery and more natural feeling knee post-surgery

UTICA -- St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) is now offering robotic partial knee resurfacing, a minimally invasive treatment option for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis that has not yet progressed to all three compartments of the knee. Use of MAKOplasty allows less invasive surgery than traditional, total knee surgery and is performed using RIO®, a highly advanced, surgeon-controlled robotic arm system. SEMC is the first to acquire this technology in the region east of Syracuse.

MAKOplasty potentially offers the following benefits as compared to total knee surgery:

  • Reduced pain
  • Minimal hospitalization
  • More rapid recovery
  • Less implant wear and loosening
  • Smaller scar
  • Better motion and a more natural-feeling knee.

“MAKOplasty allows us to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis at earlier stages and with greater precision. Because it is less invasive and preserves more of the patient’s natural knee, the goal is for patients to have relief from their pain, gain back their knee motion, and return to their daily activities,” said Charles Williams, BSHA, director of Perioperative Operations for Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS).

Through its innovative use of technology, MAKOplasty takes partial knee resurfacing to a new level of precision. The opportunity for early intervention is important as osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

“Precision is key in planning and performing partial knee surgeries,” said orthopedic surgeon Andrew Wickline, MD, FAAOS, and the only surgeon at SEMC who does partial knee resurfacing. “For a good outcome, you need to align and position the implants just right. Precision in surgery, and in the pre-operative planning process, is what RIO helps us deliver for each individual patient.”

The RIO® system enables the surgeon to complete a patient-specific, pre-surgical plan that details the technique for bone preparation and customized implant positioning using a CT scan of the patient’s own knee. During the procedure, the system creates a three-dimensional, virtual view of the patient’s bone surface and correlates the image to the pre-programmed surgical plan. As the surgeon uses the robotic arm, its tactile, auditory and visual feedback limits the bone preparation to the diseased areas and provides for real time adjustments and more optimal implant positioning and placement for each individual patient.

For more information about partial knee resurfacing contact the office of Dr. Andrew Wickline at (315) 735-4496 or Dr. John Sullivan at (315) 798-1617.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

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Sandra Fentiman 
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
(315) 798-8195
sfentiman@stemc.org

Mohawk Valley Health System Launches New Brand

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The affiliation of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) and St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) to form the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) was completed in March 2014. After a comprehensive research and planning process, MVHS is proud to announce a new brand campaign that highlights the integrated services and continuum of care being offered to patients and residents as a result of the affiliation.

“Establishing a single brand for MVHS was an important part of the affiliation because it is vital to our success in building a new culture for the system,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of MVHS. “Change is never easy; developing a new culture that supports collaboration is a major initiative and we look forward to rolling this out for our employees, medical staff and volunteers over the coming year.”

FSLH and SEMC, working together under MVHS, are dedicated to excellence in patient and resident care and promoting wellness in our community. The MVHS mission is “to provide for excellence in healthcare for our communities” and the vision is “to be the trusted healthcare system of choice through clinical quality, excellence in service and education, compassionate care, promotion of wellness and operational efficiency.”

The MVHS logo and colors are designed to show the unity of the system and to promote recognition within the communities of the Mohawk Valley. The sweeping shape of the valley and the stripes represent a familiar image to our areas, that of a plowed field. The soft, warm green and deep blue colors were carefully selected because they represent the local, natural environment. The color green represents well-being, health and purity; the blue is meant to inspire trust as well as stability and reliability.

“It was an exciting opportunity to create the logo and brand design for Mohawk Valley Health System,” said AJ Wiswell, graphic designer and marketing assistant for MVHS. “We hope that when people think of MVHS, they think of a place where they will receive excellent, compassionate healthcare.”

As the new brand is introduced, community members will begin seeing the logo on signage, advertising, social media, stationery, employees’ badges, vehicles, publications, forms and more. Full implementation of the brand will happen over time and a new website for the system will be developed in 2015.

In 2015, the Mohawk Valley Health System will continue to focus on clinical quality, access to services throughout the system and physician recruitment. MVHS finalized a new, three-year strategic plan, which will help guide collaboration of departments and services. Supporting patients/residents through all phases of their care ­– from inpatient to outpatient to home care – and doing it as a system has many advantages for the families that we serve as well as for caregivers and support staff.

“The affiliation is allowing us to keep up with the constant changes in healthcare and address the needs of our patients, residents and communities,” said Perra. “MVHS brings together award-winning hospitals and nationally-recognized physicians to provide comprehensive services to our community, making it unnecessary to leave the area for care. We are excited about what is to come with the affiliation and what being a larger system could mean for our area.”

Under the MVHS affiliation, the individual hospital names (Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center) will remain the same and the system is governed by a single Board of Directors. The companies included in the affiliation are:

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare

  • Adirondack Community Physicians
  • Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation
  • Mohawk Valley Home Care
  • St. Luke’s Home
  • Senior Network Health
  • Visiting Nurse Association of Utica and Oneida County

St. Elizabeth Medical Center

  • St. Elizabeth College of Nursing
  • St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency
  • St. Elizabeth Foundation
  • St. Elizabeth Health Support Services
  • St. Elizabeth Home Care
  • St. Elizabeth Medical Group

A video featuring MVHS and how “together we make a difference” can be viewed at www.mvhealthsystem.org/makeadifference. For more information, visit www.faxtonstlukes.com or www.stemc.org.

 

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Erin Gigliotti

Manager, Marketing and Media Relations
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5581
egigliot@mvnhealth.com

St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Earns Two National Accreditations

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From left, Vimmi Panchal, MD and Seneque Milien, MD discuss a patient's progress at the Sister Rose Vincent Family Medicine Center. Both are third-year residents of the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program.

UTICA, N.Y. – St. Elizabeth Medical Center’s (SEMC’s) Family Medicine Residency has earned osteopathic recognition from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). It also received continuing accreditation through June 2020 from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) achieving scores of 100 percent for the Institutional and 99 percent for the Residency Program.

There are 30 residents in training, 10 in each year of the three-year program, which is an affiliate of Mohawk Valley Health System. Last June’s graduation brought the total number of family physicians completing the nationally accredited, three-year, postdoctoral training program to 257.

The ACGME and the AOA Graduate Medical Education Accreditation Systems will be fully merged in July 2020, creating a new, single accreditation system. When fully implemented, the new system will allow graduates of osteopathic and allopathic medical schools to complete their residency and/or fellowship education in any accredited program.

“The community will benefit from the single system which standardizes residency training expectations to better meet the healthcare needs of our country,” said Residency Program Director, Mark Warfel, DO, FAAFP. “Recognition as a Program with Osteopathic Distinction speaks to the value of the osteopathic component.”

Through osteopathic-focused residency programs, the new accreditation system will broaden the recognition of the principles and practices component of the osteopathic medical profession and its contributions to healthcare. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the interrelationship between structure and function, and includes an appreciation of the body's ability to heal itself. Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs) are fully licensed to practice in all specialty areas including surgery.

The Family Medicine Residency Program was established in 1975 and expanded in 1995 when it relocated to its current location on 120 Hobart Street in Utica. The program has been shown to be an effective tool to attract and retain family practice physicians to the Greater Utica area. In addition, its resident physicians make up the majority of providers who practice at Sister Rose Vincent Family Medicine Center in an underserved area of Utica. Without the residents, it would be difficult to provide care to this patient population.

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Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Sandra Fentiman 
Manager, Marketing / Community Outreach   
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5216
sfentiman@mvhealthsystem.org

Press Statement Regarding Proposed Location of New MVHS Hospital

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Earlier this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed, and the New York State Legislature approved, $300 million in the 2015 New York State budget to help to ”create an integrated healthcare delivery system in Oneida County.” This legislation provides an incredible, once in a lifetime opportunity for us to build a new, freestanding hospital for our community. It is truly a game-changer for our region. 

The new hospital would replace the inpatient services currently provided at the St. Luke's Campus of Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare (FSLH) and at St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC). We estimate the project will cost approximately $500 million to $600 million, depending on the location, and take four to six years to complete. 

In recent months, the Board of Directors of the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has been working with a number of different companies and agencies to determine the appropriate site for the new facility. Our primary goal is providing exceptional healthcare to our community. With that as our focus, we will choose the best-suited location, work collaboratively with our community leaders, and keep the project as affordable as possible.

We have narrowed our review to two sites, the St. Luke’s Campus of FSLH and downtown Utica. The board has voted to build at the downtown site. The general area for the location is across from the Utica Auditorium between Oriskany and Columbia Streets. We recognize that a new hospital downtown can provide a catalyst for the revitalization of the City of Utica and the entire Mohawk Valley. We look forward to working with our governmental partners and local business and community leaders on moving this option forward. Throughout the planning and implementation of this new building, it is critical that MVHS continue to be financially sound and able to provide quality medical care for the entire community.

In the event the downtown site proves not to be financially viable, we will move on to our second site option at the St. Luke’s Campus, which the board feels will also serve the community well. 

The Mohawk Valley Health System is an affiliation of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. The two organizations affiliated in March 2014. 

Governor Cuomo and New York State Legislature Approve $300 Million for Healthcare Integration in Oneida County

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Earlier this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed $300 million in the 2015 New York State (NYS) budget to help to ‘create an integrated healthcare delivery system in Oneida County.’ His proposal was part of a $700 million recommendation to support Upstate New York hospitals. The proposal for Oneida County became a reality with the approval of the budget this week.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our community and we are extremely grateful to the Governor and our legislators,” commented Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS). “Last fall we began exploring the concept of a new, free-standing hospital. To be able to move forward with this concept changes healthcare in our community and enhances what we are able to do for the region.”

According to hospital officials, the Governor’s recommendation in early January was a most welcome surprise and was in addition to a proposal submitted in December under the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program. DSRIP is a federal and state initiative designed to improve and coordinate care for Medicaid recipients and those without insurance. The funding for the DSRIP project has not yet been announced.

Officials say building a new hospital is costly, estimated at $460 to $500 million. They note that the $300 million helps to lay the foundation for funding. MVHS would still need additional financial support from federal and state governments, lending institutions and philanthropic support from the community.

The new hospital would replace the inpatient care currently provided at the St. Luke’s Campus of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) and at St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC). The project is estimated to take four to six years to complete and there are a number of steps that need to happen even before the first shovels are in the ground.

“One of the most frequently asked questions is ‘where would we build a new hospital?’ and we don’t know yet,”noted Perra. “We are working with Steve DiMeo and Mohawk Valley EDGE to look for potential sites in our area. EDGE has tremendous resources and their support is invaluable. It will take time, research and planning to determine the best location.”

The final determination for the site will be made by the Board of Directors of the MVHS. And officials caution that while many are interested in where the new hospital will be located– there is a long list of additional items that need to be decided. In the next 12 to 18 months a plan for the hospital, size, structure, location, services and staffing needs to be fully developed. Administration and the Board of Directors also need to work on a transition plan for the current FSLH and SEMC buildings and will work with the NYS Department of Health to complete a Certificate of Need (CON) application for the new project.

“This is the beginning of a long and important journey,” said Perra. “We are excited and we recognize what an enormous responsibility this is for our Board of Directors, medical staffs and employees. We only have one chance to get this right and that is what we intend to do. We want to build a new hospital for the families that we serve, one that will make a difference for generations to come.” 

Mohawk Valley Health System is an affiliation of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. The two organizations affiliated in March 2014. 

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Erin Gigliotti

Manager, Marketing and Media Relations
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5581
egigliot@mvnhealth.com

Volunteers Add Value to MVHS

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UTICA, N.Y. – This year, National Volunteer Week falls from April 10-16 and the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) will use those days to accentuate the many gifts and talents our volunteers share with patients, families and employees on a regular basis. All staff members are urged to thank volunteers for all that they do to support MVHS.

“This year’s theme is ‘Our volunteers are worth their weight in gold,’” said Delta Rubsamen, director of Volunteers for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH).“As a token of employee thanks, small gold mesh drawstring bags filled with gold coin candy will be distributed to volunteers during Volunteer Week.” In addition, volunteers have their names entered in a daily drawing for a gift of appreciation.

Volunteers complete all types of tasks at the MVHS: some raise money for equipment and other needs. All funds raised by the Faxton St. Luke's Volunteer Association through the gift shops and vendor sales are donated directly back to the organization through the FSLH Foundation. In 2014, in addition to other projects, monies raised were used to purchase new flat-screen TVs for patients and, in 2015, a patient education system was funded. In early 2016, additional TVs will be purchased for the specialty unit on AC 2 at the St. Luke’s Campus. Meanwhile, at SEMC, volunteers present funds raised to the hospital through the SEMC Guild, which gifted $15,000 last year.

“Volunteers range from age from 14 years to more than 90 years,” said Grace Garro, director of Volunteers for St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC). “We’re so grateful for the support they provide to more than 40 departments throughout the Faxton, St. Elizabeth, St. Luke's, and Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services (CRCCS) Campuses.”

At various sites, volunteers:

  • Sort and deliver mail
  • Rock babies in the nursery
  • Round with patients on a regular basis to see how they are doing and to determine if they can be of assistance in any way – including through the Mended Hearts and Patient Advocate Programs
  • Sew heart pillows for patients who have undergone cardiac surgery at SEMC
  • Greet and assist patients in units such as Faxton's Outpatient Infusion and St. Luke's Emergency Department
  • Staff the gift shops at the Faxton, SEMC and St. Luke's Campuses
  • Staff information desks at St. Luke's and Faxton lobbies, the reception desk at the Cancer Center, and surgery waiting rooms at all three hospital campuses
  • Work behind the scenes in offices, completing numerous clerical tasks
  • Deliver medications from the Pharmacy to units throughout St. Luke's Campus
  • Provide pastoral support to patients at FSLH and SEMC
  • Deliver complimentary newspapers to patients each morning at the St. Luke’s Campus and
  • Other tasks too numerous to mention.

In 2015, the 597 volunteers across the MVHS donated 69,981 hours of their valuable time to help our patients and families. The Administration and staff extend deep appreciation for these generous contributions.

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Media Contact
Sandra Fentiman
Manager, Marketing / Community Outreach
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5216
sfentiman@mvhealthsystem.org


Press Releases Moved to New MVHS Website

Prohibition Party to Support Cardiac Services Equipment at St. Elizabeth Campus

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Utica, N.Y. - The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Foundations and F.X. Matt Brewery will hold the ninth annual Prohibition Party on Friday, April 28, 2017, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the historic F.X. Matt Brewing Co, 830 Varick Street, Utica. The event is sponsored by Theresa Flemma, CFP®, senior vice president of Flemma ~ Gornick Financial Group and M. Griffith Investment Services,Inc.

Tickets cost $45 per person if purchased by Friday, April 14, and $50 per person if purchased after April 14. Admission includes Saranac beverages, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, a 1930s costume contest and a silent auction. Local musicians All Tuned Up, Crushing June, Renaissanceand The Other Guys will perform throughout the Brewery. Participants must be 21 and over. Proceeds from this year's event will be used to purchase state of the art cardiac equipment for MVHS Cardiac Services located at the St. Elizabeth Campus.

“On behalf of MVHS, I would like to thank the Matt family for their partnership with the Foundations to host this one-of-a-kind event that the community looks forward to each year.” said Andrea LaGatta, director of Development. MVHS thanks Theresa Flemma, CFP®,senior vice president of Flemma ~ Gornick Financial Group and M. Griffith Investment Services Inc. and media sponsors Mix 102.5 and WKTV NewsChannel 2.

A limited number of tickets are available and the Foundations anticipate selling out early for the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.mvhealthsystem.org/foundation, call 315-624-5718 or email jbecker2@mvhealthsystem.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the MVHS Foundations Office at 1676 Sunset Avenue, Utica, or the F.X. Matt Brewing Co. Gift Shop/Tour Center at 830 Varick Street, Utica. 

Media Contact:
Lindsay Mogle
Communications Specialist
Mohawk Valley Health System
315-624-5602
lmogle@mvhealthsystem.org

Visitors Restricted for the Mohawk Valley Health System

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UTICA, N.Y. – To better protect patients from the flu and other illnesses, visitor restrictions have been put in place for the Mohawk Valley Health System (Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center).

A maximum of two visitors per patient will be permitted at any one time and children 12 and under are prohibited from visiting all inpatient areas, as they are more likely to have and transmit respiratory infections.

The hospitals ask that you not visit if you feel ill with any type of upper respiratory problem. Please stay home and delay your visit to keep yourself and the patients and residents safe.

The best protection against contracting influenza includes:

  • Frequent and thorough hand washing.
  • Covering all coughs and sneezes. If you don’t have a handkerchief or a tissue, use the crook of your arm, not your hand.
  • Staying home from work, school or social events if you have a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and pains or other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting sometimes associated with influenza.
  • Avoiding people exhibiting symptoms of a flu-like illness.

If you have flu-like symptoms that are severe and persistent, you should contact your healthcare provider.

The hospitals practice “respiratory etiquette” in their Emergency Departments, Urgent Cares and Primary Care Medical Offices. Each waiting area has masks for patients to wear to cover their cough, and tissues and hand sanitizer for good hand hygiene. Those seeking treatment and have any flu-like symptoms with upper respiratory problems will be asked to wear a mask and may be isolated from other patients.

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Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Media Contact:
Lindsay Mogle 
Communications Specialist
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5602
lmogle@mvhealthsystem.org

Mohawk Valley Health System Selects Architectural Firm and Construction Manager for New Hospital Project

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UTICA, N.Y. – Officials from the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) announced they have selected an architectural firm and a construction manager for the planning, design and construction of the new hospital project. The architectural firm is NBBJ, and the construction manager is the Turner Construction Company.

NBBJ and Turner will work closely with the outreach team to consider community input during the design and construction phases.

“We are excited to be able to begin this next phase as it means that we are getting that much closer to this project becoming a reality,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of MVHS.“Both companies have extensive local and international experience, with projects in New York and around the United States as well as in many cities abroad. The companies are committed to working with our local businesses whenever possible to complete the project.”

The cost projection for the integrated health campus is approximately $480 million for a 750,000-square-foot facility.

“NBBJ was selected from a list of 19 of the best healthcare architects in the country,” said David J. Connolly, senior vice president of the Hammes Company – the project management company hired by MVHS to facilitate the new hospital project. “They bring a wealth of creative solutions that provide a platform of operational efficiency, sustainability and flexibility which will serve MVHS and the community for many years to come.”

NBBJ and Turner have extensive experience working with one another. Together they have completed more than $2.6 billion in projects, many of which have focused on healthcare.

“Turner Construction is one of the top construction management firms in the world. Its experience will be instrumental as we work through a complex construction project in an urban center,” said Connolly. “Its team brings a safety record which places the care of the workers and the public as its highest priority. Hammes Company has had the honor of working with Turner on other very high-profile projects and we’re looking forward to continuing our relationship on this project.”

In the meantime, MVHS continues to work on the final funding plan for the project. Officials from the organization are working with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) on the Request For Approval for the $300 million which will be submitted to the NYSDOH before the end of January. Officials anticipate that they will be notified by the NYDOH by the end of February as to the disposition of the funding.

MVHS is hosting informational forums for the community on Tuesday, January 10 at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Utica. Two forums will be held: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please RSVP to community@mvhealthsystem.org. Representatives from NBBJ, Turner Construction and Hammes Company will be in attendance to hear the interests of the community first hand.

About NBBJ

NBBJ creates innovative places and experiences for organizations worldwide and designs environments, communities, and buildings that enhance people's lives. Founded in 1943, NBBJ is a leader in designing healthcare, corporate office, commercial, civic, science, education, and sports facilities. The firm has won numerous awards and has been recognized as one of the world's "Top Ten Most Innovative Architecture Firms" by Fast Company magazine. Clients include Amazon, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Boeing, Cambridge University, Cleveland Clinic, GlaxoSmithKline, Massachusetts General Hospital, Microsoft, NYU Langone Medical Center, Samsung, Stanford University and Starbucks. NBBJ has locations in New York, Boston, Columbus, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Pune, and Shanghai. NBBJ has extensive experience in the State of New York, having designed more than 250 projects in the State since 2000. For more information, please visit www.nbbj.com.

About Turner

Turner is a New York State-based, international construction services company. Founded in 1902, Turner first made its mark on the industry pioneering the use of steel-reinforced concrete for general building, which enabled the company to deliver safer, stronger and more efficient buildings to clients. The company continues to embrace emerging technologies and offers an increasingly diverse set of services. With an annual construction volume of $11 billion, Turner is the largest builder in the United States, ranking first in the major market segments of the building construction field. Turner is consistently ranked as the leading builder of healthcare projects. Turner has completed more than 1,500 major healthcare projects in the past 10 years, including two new stand-alone hospitals in upstate New York. Turner has four offices in New York: Albany, Buffalo, New York City and Syracuse. For more information, please visit www.turnerconstruction.com. 

Media Contact
Erin Gigliotti
Manager/Media Specialist
Mohawk Valley Health System
315-624-5581
egigliot@mvhealthsystem.org

The Mohawk Valley Health System Announces Information Session and Community Dialogue Event

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Community Invited to Develop Guiding Principles for Integrated Health Campus

UTICA, N.Y. – The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) invites the community to attend an information session and community dialogue event regarding the development of the new downtown health campus on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Two sessions will be held in the Grande Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The goal of this event is to provide a forum for community members to receive a project update and enable them to participate in the development of the project’s guiding principles. Guiding principles describe the community's beliefs and philosophy regarding what a new hospital facility and integrated health care campus in the downtown location should strive to achieve. Participants at the meeting will work together to develop factors for the Project Steering Committee to consider throughout the planning and design phases.

“This new health campus is an exciting opportunity for our region and we want the community to be involved,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of MVHS. “The guiding principles identified at this event will highlight key areas that our Project Steering Committee will consider as the development process advances.”

The Radisson was selected because it allows for a large group presentation and breakout groups. Should the event exceed capacity, additional meetings will be scheduled. For those who are unable to attend, the presentation portion of the event will be posted at www.mvhealthsystem.org, and questions or comments may be submitted to community@mvhealthsystem.org.

This event is one of many community input opportunities planned as the project advances. Ongoing outreach formats include individual meetings, group presentations and neighborhood and community-wide forums.

For more information about the downtown health campus, visit www.mvhealthsystem.org. To request a meeting for your group or organization, email community@mvhealthsystem.org or call 315-624-5581.

Media Contact
Erin Gigliotti
Manager/Media Specialist
Mohawk Valley Health System
315-624-5581
egigliot@mvhealthsystem.org

Mohawk Valley Health System Patient and Family Engagement Council Seeks New Members

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UTICA, N.Y. – The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Patient and Family Engagement Council is seeking new members. The Council acts as an advisory resource to the leadership and staff at MVHS as the organization strives to continuously improve patient care. The Council consists of several members of the community who have recently experienced the healthcare system either as patients or family members of patients receiving care, as well as several MVHS staff members.

The Council was established at St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) in 2006, and expanded to include staff members of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH), as well as community representatives with experiences at FSLH, after the organizations affiliated in 2014.

Council members advise MVHS on improvements throughout the system including, but not limited to, patient education materials, construction and renovation projects, patient safety initiatives, and parking improvements. The Council has welcomed several new members, and has advised administrative staff members on the expansion of the Faxton Urgent Care facility and improvement of several patient and family waiting areas throughout the system. The Council has also been instrumental in beginning the process of implementing an informational kiosk that helps improve patients’ access to community resources to help them stay healthy and active in their homes.

As MVHS continues to improve the care we provide to our patients and their families, and to work toward building a new acute-care facility, the Council’s community members will continue to be a valuable resource.

Anyone who is interested in the Council may get more information or request an application at www.stemc.org/patients or www.faxtonstlukes.com/pfec or call 315-624-6142.

Media Contact
AJ Wiswell
Communications Specialist/Graphic Designer
315-624-5607
awiswell@mvhealthsystem.org

SEMC Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Service to the Community

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Front row, left, Robert Upton of Utica, winner of the Mother Bernardina Award, is joined by Louis Tehan, president and CEO of Upstate Cerebral Palsy, winner of the Founder’s Day Community Award at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Back row, left are Scott Perra, Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) president/CEO, and Robert Scholefield, MVHS executive vice president/COO.

UTICA, N.Y. – St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) celebrated its 150th anniversary Monday, December 12, 2016, by honoring an employee and a recipient of its community award. 

Following a 12 p.m. Founder’s Day service in the SEMC Saint Marianne Cope Chapel, Louis Tehan, president and CEO of Upstate Cerebral Palsy, received the Founder’s Day Community Award and Robert Upton received the Mother Bernardina Award, which is named after SEMC’s founder and is presented to an employee. The winner of the latter award is chosen by SEMC employees for significant contributions to the medical center, exemplifying its mission, vision and philosophy and for always going the extra mile.

Upstate Cerebral Palsy is located in Utica at 932 South Street at the corner of Hammond Avenue. It serves families of Whitesboro, Yorkville, New York Mills, New Hartford, Washington Mills, and many other towns throughout the Greater Utica area. Today, UCP has more than 2,000 employees at over 80 locations and is an organization dedicated to “empowering people through exceptional opportunities." It has received several esteemed awards prior to this that recognize the high quality of care Upstate Cerebral Palsy provides, as well as praise for its sound business practices.

“Upstate Cerebral Palsy plays an important role our community,” said Scott H. Perra, president/CEO of the Mohawk Valley Health System and SEMC. “Its leader and his staff provide support to thousands of people with differing abilities and we are grateful to have them in the Mohawk Valley.”

Robert Upton of Utica has been employed at SEMC for 24 years. He currently works as a radiologic technologist in the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Radiology Department. Upton is a graduate of Champlain Valley School in Plattsburgh, New York, and is a strong supporter of the Abraham House in Utica, where he has been a volunteer for 10 years. He has acted as a Big Brother to several children in the Utica area and is not only known for his selfless compassion but as an artist, a comic book creator and a baker of novelty cakes. 

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Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Media Contact:
Sandra Fentiman 
Manager, Marketing / Community Outreach
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5216
sfentiman@mvhealthsystem.org


The Mohawk Valley Health System Announces Engagement Program for New Hospital Project - Opportunities Planned Over the Next Several Months

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UTICA, N.Y. – The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has launched a new engagement program aimed at facilitating community involvement in the development of the new downtown hospital. The first step in this multi-phased process is to engage The Paige Group to directly speak with stakeholders in genuine, meaningful dialogue that captures critical interests and concerns.

“This is a complex project and we understand our community’s strong interest and need to further understand how it will impact our region,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of MVHS. “We’re pleased that we have reached the stage of development where we can begin to share more information in a clear and timely fashion.”

The Paige Group specializes in public input on a wide variety of economic development and public infrastructure projects.

“We believe strongly in the value of community input and will ensure that there are multiple opportunities to be involved as we move forward,” said The Paige Group President and CEO Nancy Pattarini. “We will accomplish this through a combination of listening sessions, informational presentations, and increased community awareness through key partners such as our local and regional media.”

Outreach formats will include individual meetings, group presentations, and neighborhood and community-wide forums.

The initiative will also include the establishment of a community advisory committee, which will be comprised of key stakeholders who will remain involved throughout the project development process. 

Media Contact
Erin Gigliotti
Manager/Media Specialist
315-624-5581
egigliot@mvhealthsystem.org

The Mohawk Valley Health System Reaches Next Milestone in New Hospital Process

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New Cost Estimate Achieved Through Design Modifications and Efficiencies

UTICA, N.Y. – The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has achieved its next milestone on the path to building the proposed new hospital in downtown Utica. Through facility and operations analysis, MVHS officials have identified potential cost reductions without impacting patient care.

The new hospital, proposed for downtown Utica, was conceived to be approximately 830,000 square feet and estimated to cost $573 million. The new cost projection is approximately $480 million for a 750,000-square-foot facility, which is in alignment with the project funding plan that includes bank financing, donor support, and a grant from New York State.

“Planning a project of this magnitude occurs in several stages over the course of years,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of MVHS. “In late 2014, we developed estimates based upon preliminary design concepts. We continue to perform studies and evaluations to further refine the project as we advance through the phases of the development process. This includes continuing to work with the Hammes Company, who manages projects like this one all over the country. Our revised plan includes a reduction in facility square footage, updated inventory of equipment for reuse at the new facility, and additional evaluation of services that could remain in the hospital versus those that could continue at other sites in the system.”

The reevaluated design includes a number of cost-saving adjustments, including a phased approach to inpatient bed space. The original concept included 430 inpatient beds; the revised plan is for 400 beds. Officials have carved out a 24-bed inpatient “shell” that could be finished and used at a later time, if needed. That reduction alone saves more than 15,000 square feet of new construction and adds to the overall savings.

“Our analysis has shown that the need for inpatient beds will continue to decrease,” noted Perra. “We reviewed trends of our inpatient beds for the past five years, as well as trends both statewide and nationally, to help us determine what we will need by 2022 when the new facility opens. Currently our average daily inpatient census for MVHS is 325 to 375 patients.”

Other potential cost-saving strategies include third-party ownership opportunities, such as the parking garage and separate office space for some hospital services. Third-party ownership of a multi-use parking garage provides an estimated cost savings of $27 million and the reduction of the size and construction cost of the facility provides an estimated $20 million savings. Also, additional efficiencies are continuously being identified as the hospital system’s operations plan is further refined.

“As with any construction project, projections and estimates will evolve as we get further along in the development process,” Perra said. “However, this step-by-step analysis has helped us to achieve a further refined cost estimate for this phase of the project. We continue to seek additional cost-saving measures and alternate sources of funding, including grant opportunities and donor support.”

Planning and design for the hospital will begin once the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) finalizes the disposition of the $300 million in New York State funding. At that time, MVHS will engage the construction manager and architectural and engineering firms to begin the design of the new facility. The design process is estimated to take 16 to 20 months.

“Once we receive the notification from the NYSDOH, we can begin to fully develop the hospital concept,” commented Perra. “At that time, we will have more information to share with our community and will set up opportunities to meet with area residents about a new medical future for them and their families. Their input will be valuable as we begin to work on the design and layout of the new health care campus.”

The Mohawk Valley Health System Begins Selection Process for Architectural and Engineering Firm and Construction Manager

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UTICA, NY – Officials from the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) are setting in motion the design and construction of the new hospital and have issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to architects, engineers and construction managers.

“We have sent the information to 14 architects, 11 engineers and seven construction management firms, all of which have extensive experience in healthcare projects that are the size, scope and complexity of the proposed MVHS project,” stated Robert C. Scholefield, MS, RN, executive vice president and chief operating officer for MVHS. “We anticipate that this next phase will take several months to finalize as we meet with the companies best suited for this complex and exciting project. More than half the firms we have contacted have offices in New York State. Our goal throughout the project is to use, whenever possible, resources from our region. Several of the companies we have spoken with make it a practice to subcontract with local companies.”

As the vetting process is taking place on the design, build and construction management of the new hospital, the appraisal teams are scheduled to begin their work in late September. The appraisal companies have sent letters to the downtown property owners and are working with Mohawk Valley EDGE to begin the valuation process, which is anticipated to take between 60 and 90 days.

“It’s very important to us to continue to move forward with the project,” noted Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of MVHS. “We continue to work with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Governor Cuomo’s office on the final disposition of the $300 million designated for the project. Officials in Albany tell us they are getting close to their final recommendation and the requirements that we will need to meet. It has taken longer than we anticipated but this is a unique ‘gift’ that we are receiving and one that does not have precedence. This is a new process for everyone.”

The new hospital will be constructed on approximately 25 acres in the City of Utica and is anticipated to help spur economic development not only in downtown Utica, but in the region, as well. Recently, officials from MVHS visited Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, New York. Orange Regional is a new hospital that opened in August 2011, the result of a three-hospital merger.

“The trip to Orange Regional was very enlightening,” stated Perra. “They were very receptive to our questions and provided great suggestions for us as we begin our planning. One thing they did not anticipate was the increased use of their Emergency Services. They found with a new hospital that more people traveled to come to the new facility. Even as they opened their doors, they were preparing for an expansion of the Emergency Department. That was helpful advice to us as we begin to look at the surrounding area, the patients we currently serve and potential patients.”

“Even with all of this activity, we want to remind our community that there are still multiple steps in the approval process,” cautioned Perra. “We have to finalize the plan with the NYSDOH on securing the $300 million and also finalize the process they wants us to follow to complete and file a Certificate of Need (CON). Any offers made to property owners will be contingent on receiving the CON from New York State. We can’t move forward without that.”

With the delays from NYSDOH in the disposition of the $300 million, MVHS officials have also adjusted the estimated timeline to make purchase offers to property owners; it may be late 2017, with construction to begin in the second quarter of 2018.

Media Contact
Erin Gigliotti
Manager/Media Specialist
Communications & Marketing
Mohawk Valley Health System
315-624-5581
egigliot@mvhealthsystem.org

St. Elizabeth Health Support Services Changes Name

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UTICA, N.Y. – St. Elizabeth Health Support Services (SEHSS), a Franciscan Companies affiliate of St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC), has changed its name to Mohawk Valley Health Support Services, Inc. (MVHSS), effective Friday, July 1, 2016.

“Our medical equipment and respiratory care services support the needs of patients across our communities,” said Ryan Thompson, MVHSS executive director. “This name change reinforces our commitment to providing quality services to all MVHS member organizations, not only SEMC.”

MVHSS, located at 3899 Oneida Street, New Hartford, New York, has served the Mohawk Valley region for nearly 20 years. It offers an array of medical equipment for the home including oxygen, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) equipment, nebulizers, power chairs and scooters, wheelchairs and walkers, bathroom safety devices, hospital beds and orthopedic items.

“Our products and services allow patients to remain in the homes they love,” Thompson said. “We are proud to offer that peace of mind and needed support to people in the Mohawk Valley.”

Mohawk Valley Health Support Services can be reached at 315-737-0310.

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About Franciscan Companies
With services covering 24 counties in Upstate New York and three counties in Pennsylvania, Franciscan Companies is a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center system. It provides a variety of health-related products, services and programs to patients and consumers throughout the area, including medical equipment, respiratory therapy, sleep disorder treatments, home care services, wellness programs, Lifeline medical alert, medication dispensers, telemonitoring and more. Companies include: Franciscan Health Support, FHS Licensed Home Care Agency, Embracing Age elder care program, Franciscan Lifeline, a medication dispensing service, Lourdes Health Support in Binghamton, Mohawk Valley Health Support Services in Utica, Oneida Health Support, Auburn Health Support, Mountain Lakes Health Support in Carthage, Lewis County Health Support Services, as well as sleep centers through the region.

 

Media Contact:
Sandra Fentiman 
Manager, Marketing / Community Outreach
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5216
sfentiman@mvhealthsystem.org

The Mohawk Valley Health System Performs First Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Surgery in the Region

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(photo courtesy of Edwards Lifesciences)
The TAVR procedure can be performed using several different approaches. The transfemoral approach utilizes the femoral artery in the patient’s leg, the transapical approach delivers the catheter through the apex of the heart, and the transaortic approach utilizes the ascending aorta to deliver the replacement valve.

UTICA, N.Y. – Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure for people who have been diagnosed with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and who may be too ill or too high-risk for open heart surgery. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve opening, which does not allow normal blood flow through the heart. It is most often caused by age-related calcification, but can also be caused by a birth defect, rheumatic fever or radiation therapy.

The TAVR procedure allows a new valve to be inserted within the damaged aortic valve, allowing blood to flow through the heart normally. This minimally invasive procedure uses a catheter to replace the aortic valve instead of opening the chest and completely removing the damaged valve. The valve can be placed using several different approaches. The transfemoral approach utilizes the femoral artery in the patient’s leg, the transapical approach delivers the catheter through the apex of the heart, and the transaortic approach utilizes the ascending aorta to deliver the replacement valve. As of April 14, 2016, eight patients at MVHS were treated with the TAVR surgery.

This groundbreaking procedure opens up treatment options to patients who would not previously been candidates for open heart surgery. In many cases the TAVR procedure allows significantly reduced recovery times and a shorter hospital stay than traditional open heart procedures.

The Cardiac Program staff at St. Elizabeth Medical Center has been working for a number of months to bring the procedure to the community. The organization has invested nearly $3 million dollars in the program including a specialized hybrid operating room, specialized equipment and the training of staff. The procedure also involves a team of specialized physicians including cardiac surgeons, cardiologists and anesthesiologists.

In March 2016, the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) performed the first three successful TAVR surgeries in the Mohawk Valley. The team involved Dr. Frederick Joyce, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the MVHS Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Group, and several cardiologists, Dr. Rakesh Bhan, Dr. Hugh MacIsaac and Dr. Michael Sassower of Central New York Cardiology, and Dr. Prasanna Kumar of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group. It also required the collaborative efforts of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Cardiac Surgery teams at the St. Elizabeth Campus of MVHS.

MVHS would like to thank Dr. Joyce, Dr. Bhan, Dr. MacIssac, Dr. Sassower, Dr. Kumar, the cardiac anesthesiology team and all of the staff members who made these procedures possible. We look forward to using the TAVR procedure to improve the cardiac health of our community.

For more information about this procedure, please contact Thomas Norton, MSHCA, director of MVHS Cardiac Services at 315-801-3329.

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Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Media Contact:
AJ Wiswell
Graphic Designer / Communications Specialist
Mohawk Valley Health System
315-624-5607
awiswell@mvhealthsystem.org

St. Elizabeth College of Nursing Closed Wednesday, March 15

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All day and evening St. Elizabeth College of Nursing classes and clinicals are canceled for Wednesday, March 15 due to severe winter weather. 





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